Word of life - Rom 5:2b-4

Word of life: “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Rom 5:2b-4 ESV)

What is emphasized?

Hope. The worst thing is when people say: “I’ve lost all hope.” The contrary of hope is hopelessness and despair. Many people have false hopes, but we have true hope anchored in God’s promise. We have hope, yet this hope is full assurance of eternal life in Jesus Christ. This eternal life embraces happiness and glory that never ends – the glory of heaven. This hope gives us the light as well as the strength to go through sufferings and have our fruit in eternity. Therefore we can rejoice even in suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

Practical application:

In time of suffering, try to place your hope in Jesus Christ, and think of eternal glory at least for a while.